
“AirTag is designed to be detected by victims and to enable law enforcement to request identifying information about the owner.” It will also inform you that it is attached to your Apple ID and that tracking people without their consent is a crime in many parts of the world. When you open the Find My app on your phone, it will offer to pair the tracker and assign it to an item to track, like luggage, a bike or a backpack. Apple users just need to bring the AirTag close to the phone and pull out the tag that keeps the battery from operating. But the AirTag is fully waterproof, rather than water-resistant, and it offers an extra engraving option.Īpple’s setup includes a responsible warningīoth trackers are simple to set up. Because the Samsung SmartTag+ can more easily attach to objects thanks to a hole in the case, it gets points for being more versatile. TL DR: Both devices are small, lightweight and discrete. Here’s what you need to know before you decide which smart tracking device is best for you, whether it’s for travel, school or just every day living.Īpple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag+ at a glance If you own neither an iPhone nor one of the listed Samsung Galaxy phones, these particular trackers aren’t for you.įeeling lost? No need. The trackers will not work outside of their respective ecosystems.

Apple’s AirTags require an iPhone 11 or newer, and the SmartTag+ requires Android OS 11 or higher and a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra or Z Fold 2.


Which tracker you pick depends on what phone you have. First, however, you should be aware of something. We compared two popular devices, the Apple AirTag and the Samsung SmartTag+, looking at their tracking capabilities, ease of use, compatibility, battery life, privacy, security and value. These little trackers can be affixed to key chains or dropped in a pocket to help you keep track of life’s necessities. Thankfully, technology (of course) offers a solution in the form of Bluetooth trackers like Apple’s AirTags or Samsung’s SmartTags. Keys, backpacks, coats and wallets, for example, are all likely to be misplaced in the mad scramble of daily life. This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money. Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account
